I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Consider first, the origin of our text, The book of Ecclesiastes (which I will refer to as “the book of man under the sun”) along with Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations is classed with the poetic books (or wisdom books in the Hebrew bible) and is attributed to King Solomon.

As such, we must recognize that Solomon was a backslidden preacher when this book was written. These words are the reasoning’s, searching’s, and findings of a natural man “under the sun,” a natural man seeking to satisfy his soul. -Finis Jenkins Dakes

TIME

The Hebrew word “eth” (pronounced “ayth”) is translated “time” in many instances of scripture,

Vines Dictionary

Noun.

`et (H6256), “time; period of time; appointed time; proper time; season.” This word also appears in Phoenician, post-biblical Hebrew, Arabic (where the same radicals constitute a verb signifying “to appear”), and Akkadian (where these radicals form an adverb signifying “at the time when”). `Et appears about 290 times in the Bible and in all periods.

Basically this noun connotes “time” conceived as an opportunity or season

Now, taking the verse as a whole but dwelling specifically on the phrase “Time and Chance”

The Authorized King James Version (KJV) of the bible, and majority of the major translations translates it as “Time and Chance”,

The CEV (contemporary English Version) translates as:- “bad luck“, while the Apostolic Bible Polyglot says: “for a season and a meeting shall meet with them all” Coverdale presented it as “time and fortune” while the catholic bible interpretations is “time and an end for all these things” Rotherham’s emphasized bible stated it as “time and accident happened to them all”.

thus we have: Time, season + chance, accident, an end, luck, meeting

In everything that a man does, his success or failures are determined by time (among other factors), that is, is it the right time, the right season – time; period of time; appointed time; proper time; season.

Ecc 3, 2King 4.16-17, Gal 4:4; Eph 1:10, Ps. 33:16-19; Rom. 9:16

If you plant a seed let’s say corn in dry season, would it grow but planted in the right season it grows and brings forth fruit.

God alone, however, knows and reveals such “appointed times”:

“…In the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord” ( Jer 8:12).

“It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law” ( Psa 119:126).

Man can plan, study, scheme, go for training and drills, practice etc, but yet, it is God that determines whether a thing prospers or not.

O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jer 10:23)

However, God as He pleases does give revelations, understanding of the times and seasons to those whom He pleases.

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. (1Chr 12:32)

Dan 2.21, Acts 1.7, 1 Thes 5.11, Est 1.13

Joseph was given understanding when to plant and when to store, Daniel was given understanding, etc

CHANCE

Having talked on “Time and Season” it has been shown that only God is in total control over the situations and circumstances that affects the lives of all men. What we refer therefore to as chance, accidents are actually divine planning.

Take a look at the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:31). “It was not by chance that the priest came down by that road at that time, but by a specific arrangement and in exact fulfilment of a plan; not the plan of the priest, nor the plan of the wounded traveller, but the plan of God. By coincidence (Gr. sungkuria) the priest came down, that is, by the conjunction of two things, in fact, which were previously constituted a pair in the providence of God. In the result they fell together according to the omniscient Designer’s plan. This is the true theory of the divine government.” Compare the meeting of Philip with the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26, 27). There is no “chance, accident” in God’s empire. “Chance” is only another word for our want of knowledge as to the way in which one event falls in with another (1 Sam. 6:9; Eccl. 9:11).

A personal example:-

I applied to a college in Ireland in 1997, sent my documents and school fees deposits etc.

I was waiting for the reply for my acceptance.

The secretary had made a mistake in addressing the letter. She wrote Box 1982 Agege Lagos instead of Box 1932 Agege Lagos.

A few days to the arrival of the letter, a member of my parish in Victoria Island Lagos just concluded the rental of the post office box 1982 Agege Lagos.

She came to me in church one day and asked me if I was expecting any letters from Ireland, I said yes, wondering where she got the information from, and also asked when did she give me her new postal address?

“Incidentally” The first letter she got from that box was my acceptance letter. What is that for chance.

– John Gills exposition of the bible

but time and chance happeneth to them all; to the swift and strong, the wise, understanding, and skilful; or to the swift and slow, to the strong and weak, to the wise and unwise; everything befalls them just as it is ordered by divine Providence; for there is a certain “time” fixed by the Lord for every event; and whatever seems casual and contingent to man, and which he is ready to call “chance”, is noticing but “decree” with God, firm and unalterable; Plato {e} has the same expression. The word signifies “occurrence” {f}, or event, which is under the wise direction and order of the providence of God, with respect to whom nothing comes by chance; and it is rendered “occurrent”, 1Ki 5:4; and so it is here, by the Septuagint version, “occurrence” or “event”; and in the Targum, event by their star, which is fate: and Aben Ezra interprets it המערכה עליונה, the “superior ordination”; it is something we meet, or meets us, by divine appointment.

We believe that all the Scriptures, both New and Old Testaments are written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – II Timothy 3:16-17, Luke 24:25-27. All the Christian teachings and the Christian attitude of the children of god are such that are established in the Holy Bible – II Timothy 3:10-15, 2 Peter 1:21; John 17:17; Psalm 119:105.

We believe that in the Bible are written and revealed unto us the will of God: Man’s position to God, the way to obtain salvation; woe and destruction awaiting sinners that refuse to repent and everlasting joy that is kept for the born again souls.

All Bible teachings are holy, what the Bible reveals as the will of God are such that we Should accept, and whatever God writes in the Bible and His Law are to remain unchangeable; for the Heaven and Earth may pass away but the Word of God stands for ever Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19; Matthew 24:34-35.

ABOUT GOD: PSALM 33:6-9

As revealed unto us by the Bible, we believe that there is only one God, who is the creator of both visible and invisible creatures – Genesis 1:1; Psalm 86:9-10; Isaiah 43:10-11; John 1:1-3.

Only God will be in existence for ever – Rev. 1:8. In God every creature receives life – John 5:26,

Genesis 2:7.

ABOUT JESUS CHRIST

We believe that He is the Son of God, who took away our sins and the Saviour of the world. We also believe that Jesus is God and was born by Mary the Virgin. He is God revealed in flesh.

Through Him all things were created – John 1:1-14; 14:9; Matthew 1:18-25; Isaiah 9:6; 53:5-6. We believe in His death on the cross and resurrection by which He brought redemption – Isaiah 53:4-10; I Peter 2:24; John 10:11; Galatians 3:13; Matthew 20:28; I Cor. 15:3; Romans 4:25; 2 Cor. 5:14; Heb. 9:26.

ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the TRINITY. He has the same power, the same glory with God the Father and the Son – John 14:16-17, 15:26; Matthew 3:16. He is one with the Father and the Son, who is to be worshiped and served. Three persons that become one are the source of blessings to all creatures in Heaven and on Earth – Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; I John 5:5-7.

The Holy Spirit has a great work to perform: He performs the Work of regeneration for man – John 3:5-6; He also performs the work of sanctification in the born again souls until they are fully sanctified – John 16:8; Eph. 1:17-19; 2 Thess. 2:13; I Cor. 6:11. This same Holy Spirit endows believers with gifts they can use –

I Cor. 12:7-11. He empowers one in the Lord – Acts 1:8.

ABOUT TRINITY

The egg is comprised of three parts: the yellowish part, the whitish part, and the shell.

Despite this three (3) substance the egg is not three but one. Likewise, we believe that God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are one God, but made of three persons; hence they are ONE IN TRINITY –

Gen. 1:26-29; Matt. 3:16-17; Matt. 28:19.

ABOUT THE DEVIL

We believe that there is a devil, who seeks the down-fall of every man. He brought sickness, sin and death into the world – Genesis 3:1-16. He seeks the destruction of those who exercise their faith in the Lord. Jesus – Matt. 4:1-11; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8. The devil has several unclean spirits over who he governs – Matthew 12:24.

A time would soon come when he shall be thrown into the pit and chained for one thousand years –

Rev. 20:1-3. After this, he will be put into the lake of fire where he would remain suffering together with his followers forever and ever – Revelation 20:10; 12:4;

ABOUT MAN

God made man ruler over all the other things He created – Gen. 1:26. God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul – Gen. 2:7.

Therefore man is of three parts, namely: body, soul and spirit. Man is God’s ambassador on earth to take control over all other creatures on His behalf on earth. Gen. 1:26-28. God allows man to take part in His work and thereby reveal His love to mankind more than any other creatures upon the earth.

This is God’s grace whereby we are declared righteous, cleansed from our sins by which we are able to stand before God as though we have never sinned. Acts 13:39; Jn. 1:12-13; I Cor. 6:11; Gal. 1:12-13; 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:19; Titus 3:5; I Pet. 1:23; Acts 10:43; Jn. 3:3, 5.

SANCTIFICATION (HOLINESS)

Sanctification is another work of grace of God by which our souls are completely cleansed.

This is the second accomplishment of the grace which though our faith in the blood of Jesus Christ is wrought after we have been justified and free from our sins or regenerated – Jn. 17:15-17; I Thess. 4:3; Heb. 2:11; 12:14; 13:12; I Jn. 1:7; Lk. 1:74-75; 2 Cor. 7:1; I Pet.1:16; Eph. 5:25-27; I Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 5:17-23, Ps. 119:9, 11.

WATER BAPTISM: The Kind of Baptism

We believe in baptism by the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost- Matthew 28:19.

The teaching is revealed in New Testament and that all Christians must obey this rule of the Lord – Acts 2:24; 16:15; 30-33; Acts 18:8; 19:4-5. Every saved souls automatically qualifies for Water Baptism – Acts 8:29-39; 16:28-33.

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

All born-again souls should ask for the Holy Spirit from above, as the Apostles were ordered to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled from above. It is the promised of the Father, it is God’s gift; which He gives to them who obey Him – Luke 24:49; John 4:14-26; Acts 1:4-5; Acts 5:32; Acts 8:14-17.

It is God’s promised unto them who are far and all whom the Lord shall call – Acts 2:38-39. Any Christian who receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit must speak in tongues- Acts 2:4 Acts 10:44-46; 19:2-6.

ABOUT PRAYER

A Christian without condemnation of heart has right to thank God and in adoration and in prayer unto the Lord always – Zech. 12:10. His soul thirsts for God – Psalm 42:2. The Holy Spirit helps his infirmities in prayer Rom. 8:26. We must pray only in the name of faith our prayer shall be powerless before God – James 1:6-8; Heb. 11:6. Those who are unable to pray annoy God – Isa. 43:22; Isa. 64:6-7.

Much trouble and danger are encountered in such act – Zech. 1:4; Dan. 9:13-14; Hosea 8:13-14.

We are commanded to pray and not to faint and without ceasing Colossians 4:2; I Thess. 5:17; I Cor. 7:5;

Luke 18:1. The Apostle put prayer first in their life and they spent much time in prayer – Acts 6:4; Rom. 1:9; Rom. 6:4; Col. 1:9. It is God’s plans and order that we should pray to receive all the goods He has promised in He has promised in His treasure for us – James 4:2; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 7:7-11; 9:24-29, Luke 11:13; Mark 9:29.

BAPTISM BY TRINITY

We believe that all members of this church should receive Water baptism by immersion in the Name of the father, Son and Holy Ghost as believers who would not add or take out of the word of God – Matthew 28:19; 3:16.

ABOUT RESTITUTION

Restitution is a mark of true repentance. This is payment or restoration of what is damaged. Exo. 22:3. Whatever cannot give us a clear conscience before man and God should be restitute without delay –

Lev. 6:1-7; Luke 19:8; Prov. 28:13; Acts 24:16.

DIVINE HEALING (HEALING WITHOUT MEDICNIE)

Healing without medicine is Biblical – Matt. 4:23; Psalm 103:3. Sickness is caused of the fall of man. The force behind this is Satan – Job 2:19; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38. But Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil – I John 3:8. Christ purchased our soul from the course of sin. He bore our infirmities and carried our sorrow – Matt. 8:15-17 by His stripes we are healed – Isaiah 53:4-5; Gal. 3:13, I Pet. 2;2-4. Healing without medicine is of the Gospel – Matt. 9:35; Mark 6:10-18.

We read that the twelve Apostles and the seventy disciples combined healing with their Ministry of the Gospel – Lk. 9:1-2; 10:1-9.

The Lord commanded us to go into the world, not only to teach the nation, but that we

should also heal the sick, Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 10:1; 16: 15-18.

WE COULD OBTAIN OUR HEALING IN THESE FOUR WAYS:

1. By individual prayer – John 14:13-14

2. By two or group of people who have agreed to pray by faith – Matt. 18:19-20.

3. By the laying of hands on the head – Mark 16:18; Acts 9:17-18; 28:8

4. By the ministry of Elders, anointing the sick with prayer of faith – James 5:14-15,

Mark 6:12-13.

SPECIAL NOTICE: Before we can work , healing without medicine, we would have

sacrificed our life to the doing of the Law – Romans 6:13-19; 21:1; Matt. 16:24;

2 Cor. 8:15. Many miracles were performed by the Apostles – Acts 9:33-42; 11-12

22:8-9

WORLDLINESS FORBIDDEN

The Bible teaches us to abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thess. 5:22. “But follow after righteousness, faith, love, purging ourselves from unclean things so that we may be vessels unto honour sanctified, and prepared unto every good work” 2 Tim. 2:2-22.

Therefore we must not see our Church members in dancing hall; revellings, for such things are works of the flesh. All people doing such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God – Gal. 5:19-21. “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walk in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine revellings and idolatries. Wherein they think is strange that ye run not with them, to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.” I Pet. 4:3-4; Prov. 31:4-5; Rev. 1:5-6; Gen. 19:30-38.

SWEARING AND CURSING FORBIDDEN

All Christians should not swear or curse or blaspheme for we were not taught of Jesus in such way.

“Bless and curse not” Rom. 12:14; swear not all, neither Heaven nor by the earth or any other swearing. But let your yes, and No be no so that you do not run into condemnation – Matt. 5:34; James 5:12.

DUE REVERENCE TO PARENTS AND AUTHORITY

All Christians are to obey the law of the country, obey the government and authorities. They should honour their parents and elders – I Pet. 2:13-14; Rom. 13:1-5; Eph. 6:1-3; Mark 7:10-13; I Tim. 5:1-2; Lev. 19:32; Prov. 23:22; Acts 5:27-29; 4:18-20. But in case there directives, God is to be obeyed.

REBELLION AGAINST CHURCH AUTHORITY FORBIDDEN

Rebellion against Church Minister is against the will of God. Those who rebelled against Moses did not escape unpunished, Numbers 12:1-10; 16:1-4; 32. The Bible teaches that we should obey our Spiritual leaders and submit to them – Heb. 13:17; Jos. 1:16-18;

Deut. 17:12; Jude 8:9.

DEBTS FORBIDDEN

Any member of this Church must not willfully enter into an debt which he finds difficult to repay for the Bible teaches us “owe no man anything, but to love one another” – Rom. 13:7-8.

We believe that any born-again soul is a child of God and is clothed with white garment which is the Righteousness of Christ. It is received freely, a gift unto them that lead a victorious life – Rev. 19:7-8. Furthermore, we are advised to put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness – Colossians 3:13-14.

It is not our policy to have special robe.

We believe that all members must be moderate in adornment; not with braided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array. But let it be the hidden man of the heartin that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight if God of great price – I Tim. 2:8-9; I Pet. 3:1-6; Gen. 35:1-4;

Exo. 32:1-8; Isa. 3:16-26; I Cor. 11:4-10; Exo. 33:5-6.

LAYING OF HANDS AND ANOINTING THE SICK

We believe in the laying of hands and anointing the sick on the head in the Name of the Lord and that prayer of faith shall save the person – James 5:14-16; Mark 16:17-18.

But we do not use any other method which are not in accordance to Bible teaching. Such traditions include sanctification of water for the sick to drink, or to perform special washing for the sick in the following river, the use of robe or garment or to carry small stick in form of cross about or the candle and such things.

They are not Biblical. The order of the Lord is that we should heal the sick free of charge – Matt. 10:8. We do not receive money or change money before we offer prayer for anybody. All those using the above materials for healing shall perish with them – Mark 16:18; James 5:14; Matt. 10:7-8; Mark 6:13.

HOLY MATRIMONY

The word of God teaches us that monogamy has been the order since the beginning of the Law of Christ. Divorce is permissible only when a life partner has committed adultery.

Even then none of the two should be married to a new partner while both are yet alive – Matt. 5:31-32, 19:9; Mark 2:13-16; Gen. 2:18; Matt. 19:4-6; 1:18-20; I Cor. 7:10-11.

TITHES AND OFFERING

Regular payment of tithes and offering is obligatory because it is God’s command. It is God’s way of providing for the Ministers in the Church. The ministers and other Church employees are paid their food allowance through tithes.

The offering is used to cater for the needy in the Church. Tithes and offering must be paid on every income e.g. Salary, profit from business transaction, gifts etc. Malachi 3:8-12; Gen. 14:19-20; Num. 18:20-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Lev. 27:30; Heb. 7:2-5; I Cor. 16:2; Matt. 23:23.

We believe in all the prophecies in the Bible; likewise we believe that we can be given the gift of prophecy by the inspiration of Holy Spirit – I Cor. 14:29. Despise not prophesying – I Thess. 5:20. But any prophecy that is against the Bible is rejected.

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Above all, whatever is not Bible teaching should be ignored, entirely by all members. If there be found any member disobeying these teachings he may be discipline and restitute his way, he may be disciplined openly as it is written in Matthew 18:15-18, so that truth may be established by the witness of two or three according to the word of God.

Rebuke them that sinned before all that others may fear – I Tim. 5:20; I Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:6-11; Heb. 12:5-12.

ONE HUSBAND, ONE WIFE, CORRECT DIVORCE, AND RE-MARRIAGE

The word of God teaches us that monogamy has been the order since the beginning of the Law of Christ. Divorce is permissible only when a life partner has committed adultery.

Even then none of the two should be married to a new partner while both are yet alive – Matt. 5:31-32, 19:9; Mark 2:13-16; Gen. 2:18; Matt. 19:4-6; 1:18-20; I Cor. 7:10-11.

HOLY COMMUNION OR THE LORD’S SUPPER

It is instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ shortly before His death. He commanded all Christians to gather together regularly to share the bread and wine till He comes back again.

The born-again souls are called the Church of God – Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:1-18; Eph. 3:10; 5:24-29. The assembly of the believers; the sanctified souls in Christ Jesus, those who we call the Holy people of God – I Cor. 1:2; Acts 14:13; Phil. 4:15; Acts 13:28. Therefore all that God has called gather together in a place and fed with the Word of God – Acts 2:41-47.

They accept Christ as the head of the Church. They gather from time to time to worship God in truth and in Spirit to share the bread and eat. Their major assignment is to spread the Gospel of Christ to all Nations – Matt. 28:19.

THE DEDICATION OR SEPARATION

Dedication is very important for the children of God for the Lord is Holy- Jn. 17:19; I Pet. 1:15-16.

If we want God to be our Father, we must separate and dedicate ourselves unto God – 2 Cor. 6:17-18.

God called us unto Holiness – I Thess. 4:7; Rom. 12:1-2.

THE DEAD IN CHRIST

We believe that a believer who sleeps in the Lord is with Christ already – Phil. 1:21-23; 2 Cor. 5:1-9. Paul said that it is better to come out of this flesh and be with the Lord forever in our Heavenly home. Further still, he emphasizes that “But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not even as other which have no hope, ” I Thess. 4:13-19.

Therefore all members should separate themselves from the things of this world in worshipping the dead

by which we become idolaters. Deut. 14:1.

RESURRECTION

We experience daily the resurrection of the Spirit, all the born-against souls who are passed from death to life – Eph. 6:14; Rom. 6:11; Jn. 5:20. As this body is dissolved, immediately we are entering into our Heavenly Home or house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens – 2 Cor. 5:1-8.

There is resurrection of the Body. Jesus taught us plainly that the buried body will be raised up from the tomb at the later day – Jn. 5:25-27; 28-29. Paul also explained this to us – Acts 24:15; I Cor. 15:22, 42-

44; Phil. 3:21; Dan. 12:2. Only Holy people will be at the resurrection of those who belong to Jesus when He appears; but the sinners shall resurrect as people whose names are not found in the Lamb’s Book – Rev. 20:4-5; Jn. 5:28-29; Rev. 20:12-15.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

The Second coming of Jesus Christ will be in physical form and will be visible to all in like manner as He was seen ascending up to heavens – Acts 1:9-11; Jn. 14:3. His return will be in two stages:

(i) CHRIST’S RETURN IN THE SKY AND RAPTURE

The Saints or Bride of Christ will be raptured to meet Christ in the sky – I Thess. 4:15- 17; I Cor. 15:51-52; Matt. 24:40-44: 25:10; Rev. 19:7-9: 2 Cor. 5:10.

The time between His coming to receive the bride or saints into heaven and His Coming to administer judgements will be the time of Tribulations – Matthew 24:21, 22-29; Rev. 9:16; Isa. 26:19-21; Mk. 13:19;

Jer. 30:7; Dan. 12:1; Malachi 4:1; Rev. 13:1 and 2 Thess. 2:1-12.

THE MILLENNIAL ( Christ’s 1,000 Year’s Reign)

After Christ appears upon earth, He would set up His Kingdom with the Holy people for one thousand years – Rev. 20:1-6; 2:26-27. This one thousand years will be entirely different from any kingdom ever set on earth. The kingdom is peace all over – Isaiah 2:2- 4 there will be no death – Isaiah 65:18-20.

There would be no poverty -Mich. 4:4; Isa. 65:21-25. Christ is the ONLY KING in the Kingdom – Daniel 2:44-45; 7:13-14; 22, 27; Isa. 11:1 and Isa. 35:1 and 65:18-25.

SATAN IN PRISON

At this time – millennium, Satan will be chained – Rev. 20:2-3; and it will be the time of peace and blessings to mankind also, Isa. 11:6-9; 65:25; Hos. 2:18; Zech. 14:9-20; Isa. 2:2-4.

THE COMING JUDGEMENTS

We believe that there would be three special judgements. They are:

a. THE JUDGEMENT OF THE BELIEVERS:

This would start immediately believers are caught up in the sky, they shall stand before Christ. After this judgement they will descend down with Christ upon the earth – 2 Cor. 5:10: I Cor. 3:3, 11-15: James 1:12; Rom. 2:16: 14 11-13; Rev. 19:7-9.

b. THE JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS:

This will be the time when Jesus had appeared upon the earth between the millennium reign – Acts 17:31; Joel 3:2; Zech. 14:15; Jude 1:14-15; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rom. 2;16: Rev. :17; Malachi 16:21; Matt. 25:31.

c. THE JUDGEMENT OF THE UNBELIEVERS – OR THE WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT:

This would happen after Christ’s one thousand years reign on the white throne –

Rev. 20:11-15; 2 Pet. 3:7; Dan. 12:2.

NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH

The Water Baptism stand for a sign and example of two things:

(a) It’s an outstanding sign and an example of a true repentance of a sinner from his/her sins –

Acts 2:38; 22:16.

(b) Anybody who is baptized is joined with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection –

Romans 6:1 and Col. 2:13. Therefore anybody who is baptized is dead to the world and the evils

thereof; Galatians 6:14.

ETERNAL LIFE AND ETERNAL PUNISHMENT

The Bible teaches us that there is in existence eternal life – Matt. 25:41-46. The wicked people will be sent to hell fire made of sulphur and be tormented both day and night in the presence of the Holy Angel and the Lamb. The punishment will continue forever and ever.

Rev. 14:10-11; Lk. 16:24; Mark 9:43-44.

DEDICATION OF CHILDREN

We believe that after a child is born, on the 8th day, the parent should bring him/her unto the Lord –

I Samuel 1:22-24; Matthew 19:13-15.

THE LORD’S DAY

We believe that the first day of the week called Sunday is a special day which the believers should separate as the Lord’s day during which time they are to gather to worship – Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2;

Rev. 1:10. The Lord resurrected on the first day of the week – Mark 16:9; John 20:1-10; 19:20, 24-28

It was during Christmas week that I was placed under arrest and dragged into court. I was a very small boy, in my fourteenth yea. I was caught in the act; there was no excuse; there seemed to be no help or hope. I was guilty. I was thrust into the prisoner’s dock. The gate was slammed and a big policeman leaned on the gate, and seemed to look at me with a degree of satisfaction at the thought that he had me. And that I was sure of punishment.

I felt utterly helpless. I could not even weep. I had wept all the tear out of my system. I was dry and emotionless, except I was crushed to the very earth with a sense of my guilt and lostness. The judge sat in his big chair but I did not dare look at him. I had no hope for mercy and I knew that justice would be my ruin.

The courtroom was packed with people. As I crouched in the corner of the dock.,, they were gazing at me with looks of accusation which seemed to say, “judge, give him the full benefit of the law and save society from further trouble.” Finally the clerk announced the opening of the court and my case came first. The judge asked the clerk if the boy had anyone to represent him. “Represent” was a new word to me. I supposed my representative was to be my executioner. The clerk answered that I had none.

The judge then said to a lawyer within the bar, “I appoint you to represent this boy.” The lawyer rose up and walked slowly forward, picking his way among the chairs, approached the dock, pushed the policeman to one side, opened the gate and stepped inside the dock.

I, withered with fear, crouched closely in one corner, and with eyes wide open with horror, gazed up at my lawyer. He had a wonderful face; it was strong and calm, full of kindness and marvellous beauty. I noticed a tear handing on one eyelash. That tear helped me wonderfully, he sat down and slipped his arm around me. It seemed that my very bones had dropped out of their sockets and I was scarcely breathing below my collar button.

My attorney drew me up to him. The pressure was so gentle, and yet so strong. It seemed to restore and readjust my bones. Relax my nerves, and I commenced to breathe more deeply. Stooping down, his silken beared brushed over my suntanned face, and placing his lips close to my ear, he said, “My little friend, are you guilty?” I could not have lied to him if it had been to save my life. With trembling voice I answered, “Yes, sir, I am guilty of much, much more than you know about.”

“Well,” “ said he, “do you not think it will be best for us to confess judgement and throw you on the mercy of the court?”

I did not know what it meant to be thrown on the mercy of the court but I felt sure that if he would throw me I would alight in the best place there was for me and I at once answered in the affirmative., my lawyer gave me a gentle pat on the head, and stood up facing the judge.

He said, “Please, your honour, it has been my privilege to practice tor many years in your honours court, and I have been glad to notice that wen the ends of justice can be secured and society can be protected, it has been your honour’s prerogative to show mercy. I thank the court for appointing me to plead in the interest of this little boy. He confesses his guilt. His heart is broken. He is full of contrition. He has been an orphan from his infancy and is dependent and moneyless and begs for compassion.”

I reached out my soiled, lean fingers and caught hold of the skirt of my attorney’s coat. I clung to him with the feeling that if I would hold on to him he would pull me out. I thought his speech was finished but it was a mere introduction. A deep stillness fell upon the great gathering and his mellow voice rose until it filled the room with a most marvellous appeal. He spoke of orphan children, of their loneliness, of their unprotected condition, of the temptations to which they were subjected, of their desolation- like lambs without a shepherd, in a world full of hungry wolves seeking to destroy.

He spoke until the harsh people softened, old men groaned aloud. He spoke until th3 tears trickled down the policeman’s cheek, who, looking kindly at me, whispered to inquire if I did not want a drink of water. I was too busy clinging to the coat tail of my attorney, gazing into his wonderful face, and listening to his marvelous words, to want anything else. I was breathing deep. New life and hope were creeping into me. I was falling desperately in live with my lawyer.

My attorney said, “Please, your honor, if you in the spirit of mercy, will dismiss the charge and set the lad free, I pledge myself to become his guardian, to see to it that he has a home and protection. I will look after his education and I promise to give to society a good and useful citizen.”

I could scarcely keep from crying out aloud for joy. It seemed my heart would burst within me for gratitude. I felt that if they would let me place my ragged shoes on the bench upon which I sat, and throw my ragged coat sleeves around the neck of my attorney and kiss his cheek one time, they might take me out and hang me, and I would die shouting.

In the midst of his wonderful address, my attorney, instead of addressing the judge as “Your Honor,” said, “MY Father.” This shot through me. I saw that if the judge had appointed his own son to plead for me, it was more than likely that he would heed his pleading s and show me mercy.

Men were weeping all over the courtroom. I had both hands full of the skirts of the coat of my lawyer. The policeman had laid aside his cap, had gotten out his handkerchief, and had buried his face if a flood of tears. It was a powerful moment in my trial. My attorney had reached his climax.

He exclaimed, “My Father, this child for whom I plead is none other than my brother.” I saw at once that if the judge was the father of my attorney, and the attorney was my brother, then the judge was my father also.

I could restrain myself no longer. I gave a great cry of joy, leaped out of the dock, rushed up to the judge’s stand and flung myself upon his bosom. He embraced me with a long, tender pressure that seemed to make me through and through a new creature.

Folding me into his arms, he stood up and said, “Rejoice with me, for my son who was dead is alive, who was lost is found.”

The entire crowd in the courtroom broke into tears and laugher. The people embraced each other. They all seemed to want to shake hands with me. They congratulated my attorney, and we laughed, and wept, and shouted together.

I hardly need to tell you that the courthouse was a Methodist Church, that the trial was and old-time revival, that the word of God arrested me and brought me, convicted and guilty, to the bar of justice; and the eternal Father was the judge upon the throne, and that the Lord Jesus Christ was the Attorney who pleaded my case, won my pardon, and secured my eternal salvation.

I look back with fondest memory to that great occasion when bowed and with guilt and bound with sin, Jesus Christ undertook for me, broke my chains, swept away my guilt, and at the throne of the universe, secured for me a full and free forgiveness, a blessed fact that the great God- the Judge of all the world- was, and is, my Father in Heaven.

H.C. MorrisonFrom Right ChoiceA publication of Herald of his coming International

2 Cor 5:17: If any man be in Christ, old things are passed away and all things are become new. Life without Christ is full of strife, God can transform your life when you give him the opportunity to do so. Give your life to Jesus today, be born again.

1 Ch 4:9-10: Make me an honourable man, a man worthy of honour: Jabez

2 Timothy 4:7 Keep me to the end, like Jesus Christ and apostle Paul. That i may finish my race, not like Saul who perished in war, nor like Solomon who left the presence of God for idols.